Tyler Thompson Fights To Top Ten Finish In Topless 100 At Thunder Mountain

Story By: DAN KAPUSCINSKI / JASON SIMMONS RACING – OSWEGO, NY – A day of adversity resulted in a top ten score for teenaged driver Tyler Thompson on Sunday, as he wheeled his No. 98T Jason Simmons Racing Sportsman from 26th on the grid to 7th in the $12,000 to win Topless 100 at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Lisle, NY.

Nearly 100 cars in the pit area, a poor heat race draw and a late start to the day could not slow Thompson when the chips were down.

Despite missing hot laps in the afternoon and starting deep in his qualifying heat race, Thompson charged to a runner-up finish in the night’s B-Main to qualify for the 30-car, 100-lap A-main.

After sitting just outside the top ten at the 50-lap halfway break, Thompson and team decided to come to pit lane to make changes to their machine for the final 50-laps. That pit stop resulted in Thompson having to go all the way to the rear of the field, restarting in the 26th position.

The changes paid off however, as Thompson worked his way through a veteran field that included Modified drivers Mitch Gibbs, Andy Bachetti and more, to run his way to the 7th position ahead of Sportsman heavy weights such as Tom Collins and Alex Yankowski.

The hard-fought day and evening for Jason Simmons Racing and Thompson resulted in a $1,200 check for the 7th spot.

“We almost didn’t even make the trip, a lot of things went wrong today,” said Thompson. “But I have the best team in the business and they worked hard to make it all right when everything was on the line. Thanks to everyone at Jason Simmons Racing, our sponsors and our fans; this finish feels real good heading into a big schedule of fall races.”

Joining Thompson and JSR on Sunday was veteran Sportsman champion Rocky Warner, driving another No. 98 JSR entry.

Like Thompson, Warner had to battle back from a poor heat race draw, finishing third in the B-Main to qualify.

Once in however, Warner was a threat for the victory, as he quickly drove the No. 98 to a top five position prior to halfway.

Unfortunately, while sitting patient and ready to strike at lap 63, mechanical issues sidelined Warner, resulting in a 26th place finish.

Jason Simmons Racing will be back in action this weekend for three nights of Sportsman action starting at Brewerton Speedway on Friday night with both Thompson and Dan Kapuscinski behind the wheel.

Thompson and JSR will then travel to Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT on Saturday and Sunday for a $10,000 to win program.